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Wednesday, April 11, 2007

VCU signs two all-state guards

Coming off of its 28-7 season (a school record for wins), today Virginia Commonwealth University announced the signing of a pair of guards to next year’s recruiting class. Brandon Rozzell from Richmond (Highland Springs HS) and Ed Nixon from St. Petersburg, Fla. have signed national letters of intent.

“We are very excited about the addition of Brandon Rozzell and Ed Nixon to our program,” VCU head coach Anthony Grant said. “These young men are great additions to an outstanding 2006-07 recruiting class. Both are very outstanding basketball players and possess very good character and work ethic. They are proven winners.”

Rozzell, 6-2, led Highland Springs to the Virginia AAA state title. He was named AAA state player of the year. Rozzell averaged 20.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.3 steals. “Brandon provides us athleticism, skill and competitiveness at the combo guard position,” said Grant.

Nixon, 6-3, who led Lakewood HS to the Florida 5A state championship game, was named first team all-state. Along the way he averaged 17.8 points, 4.8 assists, 4.2 steals and 5.0 rebounds per game. “Ed will be one of the more athletic wing players in our region,” Grant said, “he possesses size and skill to be outstanding in our system and our style of play.”

During the early signing period in November VCU signed four Florida players: Joey Rodriguez (5-10 guard, first team all-state); Lance Kearse (6-6 forward, second team all-state); Larry Sanders (6-9 forward, second team all-state); Myk Brown (6-4 guard). Grant has also already signed center/forward Kirill Pischalnikov, 6-8, a transfer from Russia who will have three years of eligibility. Thus, VCU has seven new players coming in next year.

At the conclusion of his first season as head coach at VCU Grant was named as the Colonial Athletic Association’s Coach of the Year. In postseason play the Rams won the CAA tournament in Richmond, then went on to pick up their first NCAA tournament victory in 22 years when they defeated Duke (79-77) in Buffalo.